Method and apparatus for tuning used in a broadcast data system

Abstract

A method for tuning used in a broadcast data system having a receiving station with a memory, wherein the receiver station files data and real-time data is disclosed. The method includes storing the memory in a table having tuning information corresponding to a plurality of IP addresses and ports, receiving a download request based on a user input, and using the download request to identify download information including an IP address and a port. The method further includes using the identified IP address and port to open a connection to a socket, using the table to determine tuning information corresponding to the identified IP address and port, and using the tuning information to tune the receiver station to the identified IP address and port.

Description

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 238,330, entitled “Graphical Tuning Bar for a Multi-Program Data Stream,” filed on Jan. 27, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,342.II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates in general to entertainment broadcast systems that transmit and receive a wide variety of video, audio, software and other types of data. More particularly, it relates to a multi-channel broadcast system that transmits a video / text / graphic-based program guide data stream that is used at viewer stations to generate a user interface that facilitates a user's selection of various programs and services.[0004]B. Description of Related Art[0005]The use of electronic communications media to provide access to large amounts of video, audio, textual and data information is becoming more frequent. For example, the public switched telephone network ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The present invention is particularly applicable to a receiver station having sufficient processing power to process and generate a program guide display and associated features that goes beyond conventional video / text / grid program guides. The processing power may be incorporated directly into the IRD, for example, by adding a more powerful microprocessor, more memory, and associated software to the conventional IRD circuitry. Alternatively, the receiver station IRD may be replaced with a PC having circuit cards that perform the (RD functions. A PC-based system significantly increases the receiver station's processing power, along with the number of services (e.g., data services and software) the receiver station can receive and use. Accordingly, the features of the present invention are most advantageously utilized by a PC-based (or comparable) receiver station.

[0017]In one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission station transmits to the receiver stations program selection data / information that is used at each receiver station to construct an electronic program guide and associated display format and content (i.e., a user interface) that, in contrast to known video-based and / or text / video / icon-based electronic program guides, significantly enhances how the program guide can be displayed, how much information can be incorporated into the guide, and how quickly and efficiently the user can move through the guide. The viewable display format, according to the present invention, incorporates moving picture video, still pictures, text, links to external data sources, graphics and other features that facilitate the selection of various programs and services.

Problems solved by technology

The processing power of currently available IRD's, while appropriate for current DTH programming services, inherently limits how the program guide can be displayed, how much information can be incorporated into the guide, and how quickly and efficiently a user can move through the guide.

These program guides are therefore essentially limited to conveying program availability and tuning information, and do not have the organization and flexibility to effectively support other services such as software downloads, webpage links and downloads, data services, and other functions.

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